Battalion war diary April 1916
1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries
| APRIL | NEUVILLE ST VAAST |
| 1st Saturday | In Brigade Reserve. |
| 2nd Sunday | ditto. |
| 3rd Monday | ditto. |
| 4th Tuesday | Battalion relieved the 1/5th Battn South Staffs Regt in the trenches, relief being reported complete at 8-35 p.m. |
| 5th Wednesday | Quiet day. Enemy fired a few shells over OS63.OS65 and POUQUET this morning from 10-35 a.m. to 11-30 a.m. |
| 6th Thursday | Quiet day. |
| 7th Friday | Quiet day. |
| 8th Saturday | Quiet day. Seven kites observed in a chain over Sector on our right. |
| 9th Sunday | Quiet day. Our heavy and Field Artillery active opposite 064. Some reply from enemy’s Field Guns.
Battalion relieved in the trenches by the 1/5th Btn South Staffs Regiment. |
| ECOIVRES | |
| 10th Monday | In Divisional Reserve. |
| 11th Tuesday | ditto. |
| 12th Wednesday | ditto. |
| 13th Thursday | ditto. |
| 14th Friday | ditto. |
| NEUVILLE ST VAAST | |
| 15th Saturday | Battalion relieved 1/5th Battn South Staffs Regiment in the trenches. Relief reported complete 11-15 p.m. |
| 16th Sunday | Artillery activity from dawn till noon by enemy Howitzers and Field Guns against fire and support trenches. Also 063 and OS63 bombarded with light aerial torpedoes.
Artillery active on both sides between 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. our artillery bombarding the enemy trenches. About midnight two mines were exploded on our left, followed by a heavy bombardment. |
| 17th Monday | Quiet day. |
| 18th Tuesday | At 6-55 p.m. the enemy blew in left side of Y Listening Post, and we occupied & consolidated the rear lip of the crater, known as B5.
Otherwise a quiet day. |
| 19th Wednesday | From 10-30 p.m. to 11-30 p.m. our artillery bombarded the enemy’s position opposite the left of the Divisional Sector. Some artillery reply from enemy.
Otherwise a quiet day. |
| 20th Thursday | Enemy bombarded the trenches on our left at 6-30 p.m. for 3/4 of an hour.
Otherwise a quiet day. |
| 21st Friday | The Battalion was relieved in the trenches by the 8th Border Regt, 75 Bde, 25th Division, and proceeded to MONCHY BRETON, the 46th Division being ordered to rest. |
| 22nd Saturday | Battalion resting. |
| 23rd Sunday | Easter Day. |
| 24th Monday | Cleaning of clothing and equipment. |
| 25th Tuesday | ditto. |
| 26th Wednesday | “B” Company inspected by Brigadier General Commanding 137th Bde.
Lecture by Commanding Officer to Officers, C.S. Majors and Platoon Sergeants on Bayonet Fighting. Inspection of clothing by Quartermaster. Battalion Training. |
| 27th Thursday | Physical Drill. Squad Drill. Platoon Drill. Bayonet Fighting. Lecture and instruction by Adjutant to N.C.O’s on Guards and Guard Mounting. |
| 28th Friday | ditto. |
| 29th Saturday | Physical Drill. Platoon Drill. Bayonet Fighting. Rifle Exercises. |
| 30th Sunday | SUNDAY.
Casualties for tour :- 5 other ranks killed. 2 other ranks died of wounds. 1 other ranks missing. 10 other ranks wounded. 6 other ranks Wounded but still at duty. |
| Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 1/6th Battalion,The South Staffordshire Regiment
30-04-1916 |